Detained man ‘drowns trying to escape’, J&K government seeks judicial probe

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government sought Sunday a judicial inquiry into the death of a 23-year-old man detained by security forces during a counter-terrorism crackdown launched after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

The body of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, a daily wage worker from Tangmarg in Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district, was found in a river Sunday morning. Police said he drowned while trying to escape during an operation to locate a terrorist hideout.



Social welfare minister Sakina Itoo, who visited the family, urged the lieutenant governor to order a judicial inquiry. She said Magray came from an extremely poor family and his death occurred while in the custody of security agencies who report directly to Centre.

“He came back home about two weeks ago after doing daily wage work. On Friday, he was picked up from his house. His family even met him at the military camp, where they were told he would be released,” Itoo said. “But this morning, locals were told a body had been found in the stream. It’s heartbreaking. I am calling for a judicial inquiry to uncover the truth.”

National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah wrote on social media that Magray's death follows “disturbing allegations” made by families of other recently deceased detainees in Kupwara and Baramulla.

“Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Arbitrary detentions, killings in custody, and torture are violations of every democratic and legal principle,” he said. “…full accountability for all involved must be upheld.”

J&K police claimed Magray, who had been detained Friday, revealed information about two suspected Pakistani terrorists. “Today morning when CASO was launched, he went to the hideout spot (near river) under close supervision via drone videography. Consequently, he jumped in Vishaw Nalla. Probably he tried to escape via the river route,” police said.

A 38-second video leaked on X appears to show Magray stepping toward the edge of the river before running and jumping into the fast-moving water. Police said Magray was also aware of an earlier hideout busted by security forces in Tangmarg forest on April 23.

Former CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called the death deeply disturbing. “Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the Army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river,” she said.

She also criticised the state’s counter-terrorism response to the Pahalgam attack, warning it risks becoming a form of “collective punishment” that undermines communal harmony and public trust. “If a single act of violence can shake the entire system — triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the targeting of innocent civilians — then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective,” she said.


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